FEUDS and frayed tempers are a thing of the past for a Leyland family after they appeared on a television programme which advised them how to get more privacy and space at home.

Sue Grubba, son Alex, 12, and his 80-year-old grandad, Alan Storry, starred on BBC's Too Close for Comfort programme, after the cramped living room conditions at their St Christine's Avenue home, Farington, left them irritated and craving for space.

But after a little bit of help from agony aunt Anna Raeburn and architect John Weir the family say their life has become a lot easier.

The show, screened last Thursday night, followed the transformation of part of the family's back garden into a wooden, bedsit-like living space for green fingered Alan.

Sue, 43, who works from home as a telesales advisor, said: "My dad was just getting so frustrated.

"He couldn't get away from me and Alex and I didn't feel like we had any time together either.

"It's perfect now because my dad loves his garden and he can see it all the time and Alex can do what he wants in the living room without feeling he's disturbing my dad.

"We didn't feel like we could have any visitors before but it's great now and I have friends around and Alex's friends have started coming too." Miss Grubba said despite the disruption when the cameras and builders were in her house during July she would not hesitate to do it again.

She said: "Sometimes I was tearing my hair out because of all the disruption when they were putting in the foundations for my dad's room because of the noise.

"But it's been worth it because life at home is so much better, more relaxed and everyone is happy."